11 December 2025 | The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment regarding the bail applications of activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, along with others, linked to the UAPA case concerning the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots in Delhi.
A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria listened to arguments presented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, and senior advocates including Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Singhvi, Siddhartha Dave, Salman Khurshid, and Sidharth Luthra. The Delhi Police has strongly opposed the bail applications, asserting that the riots were not spontaneous but rather an “orchestrated, pre-planned and well-designed” attack on India’s sovereignty.
Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and other accused individuals have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) and various provisions of the IPC for allegedly being the “masterminds” behind the 2020 riots, which resulted in the deaths of 53 individuals and injuries to over 700. The violence erupted during widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The accused have approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi High Court’s order dated September 2, which denied them bail in the larger conspiracy case related to the February 2020 riots. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the ongoing legal battles surrounding these events.
As the Supreme Court deliberates on these bail pleas, the arguments presented by both sides highlight the complexities involved in cases related to national security and public order.
In a related context, the Delhi Police’s assertion of a premeditated attack raises questions about the nature of the protests and the actions of the accused, which have been under scrutiny since the riots occurred.
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